5 Tips To Protect Your Family’s Skin From The Sun
These 5 Tips to Protect Your Family’s Skin From the Sun is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Blue Lizard Sunscreen. The opinions and text are all mine.
5 Tips To Protect Your Family’s Skin From The Sun
Summer is in full swing at The Owens Family’s House, which means lots of backyard fun in the sun. From jumping on the trampoline, riding bikes, and even enjoying some popsicles on a hot day, we definitely love spending time outside together.
With that being said, our entire family has sensitive, fair skin and we all sunburn easily, so sun protection is something that I take very seriously. Melanoma and skin cancer also unfortunately affected both of my grandparents, so protecting mine and my family’s skin from the sun is a top priority.
That’s why today I’m sharing 5 Tips to Protect Your Family’s Skin From The Sun and I’m sharing my new favorite sunscreen from Blue Lizard that is perfect for even sensitive skin and will help you protect your family’s skin from the sun all summer long.
5 Tips To Protect Your Family’s Skin From The Sun
1. Use a Sunscreen with Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30
One common myth with sunscreen that I recently discovered, is the higher the SPF the better. I used to always try to buy the highest SPF I could find, but in actuality most sunscreens with higher SPFs don’t actually protect the skin any more than the ones with SPF 30. Even worse, they can be full of harmful chemicals that can cause serious skin reactions and break-outs- especially on children.
Dermatologists recommend you use a sunscreen with SPF 30 and our current go-to sunscreen is the Blue Lizard Sensitive Formula Sunscreen. The sensitive formula is chemical-free, paraben-free, and fragrance free, which is perfect for both mine and my kid’s sensitive skin.
Unlike chemical based sunscreens which can cause a painful burning reaction on the skin, Blue Lizard Sunscreens are made with a natural, mineral base- with zero chemicals added.
Want to know the real difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens in protecting your skin? Chemical sunscreens soak into the skin and absorb the sun’s rays AFTER entering the body vs. mineral sunscreens like Blue Lizard which reflect the sun’s rays on top of the skin BEFORE they enter the body. This in turn helps prevent the likelihood of the skin getting sunburnt.
Another thing I love about Blue Lizard Sunscreen is the fact that the bottle turns from white to blue when in the presence of harmful UV rays, letting you know when you need to apply sunscreen. My kids and I also love the quick-drying, non-sticky formula, and I feel good about using a product that is both doctor and dermatologist recommended.
If you’ve been looking for a better sunscreen for you and your family, you can check out the Blue Lizard Sensitive Formula Sunscreen on Amazon over here!
2. Apply Sunscreen Everywhere & Re-Apply Every 2 Hours
When it comes to protecting the skin from the sun, it’s important not to skimp. A lot of people make the mistake of only applying sunscreen on certain areas of the skin or the ones that they feel are the most susceptible to burning, but the truth is- everywhere on the skin should be protected.
About 10-15 minutes before going outside, apply sunscreen on any exposed areas of the body, being mindful of areas that are often forgotten, like the ears, top of the feet, back of the neck, and nose.
For times where you’re out in the sun all day, sunscreen should be re-applied every 2 hours, and even more often if swimming or sweating.
3. Make Sure You Protect Your Face & Eyes
Although it’s important to protect the entire body, extra care should be taken when protecting the face and eyes from the sun. Hats are a great way to keep the sun out of the face and they help keep you cooler. Sunglasses are also important for protecting the eyes and help you avoid squinting.
Related: 10 Essential Items For Your Summer Vacation
If you and your family are planning on being outside in the sun for long periods or during the hottest part of the day, it’s also best to avoid wearing tank tops or items that expose a lot of the skin. If swimming, wear a cover-up when out of the water and dress babies and young children in rash guards to further protect their skin from the sun.
My boys love how the Blue Lizard Sunscreen turns blue in the presence of UV rays. It was so cool to watch it go from white to a deep blue!
4. Plan Outdoor Activities For Early Mornings or Evenings
The sun’s rays are the strongest and most damaging between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. If possible, avoid being out in the sun during these hours and aim for spending time outside in the early morning or evening time when the sun isn’t out in full force.
Now that we’re living in Georgia this tip isn’t too hard to abide by, as it’s always in the mid 90’s most days, making early morning and evenings the only time where both the heat and sun is bearable.
If you do have to be out in the sun during the mid-day, make sure to take advantage of shady spots and drink lots of water to keep your body as hydrated as possible.
The boys sure do love their popsicles on hot, sunny days. ๐
5. Check Your Family’s Skin Regularly
Last but not least, it’s very important to check your family’s skin regularly and to keep an eye out for anything suspicious looking on your skin and your children’s skin. As I mentioned above, my grandparents unfortunately had to have cancerous spots removed from their skin so staying proactive is a must for me.
Although it’s completely normal for skin to develop freckles and moles, don’t be afraid to speak with your doctor if you notice anything irregular looking in size, shape, or color. Most doctors recommend to examine your skin at home every couple of months, and if you’re unsure about something on the skin, make an appointment right away.
Before you head out, check out this cute summer video we made showing the Blue Lizard Sunscreen in action!
Hope you enjoyed today’s post on 5 Tips to Protect Your Family’s Skin From The Sun! Remember- the extra steps you take in protecting your skin from the sun will definitely pay off in keeping you healthy and will help prevent the likelihood of melanoma developing.
If you’re interested in trying out the Blue Lizard Sensitive Formula Sunscreen or other popular formulas from Blue Lizard, you can shop it over here on Amazon.
Have you ever used Blue Lizard Sunscreen? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for stopping by!- Cara
Hey Cara!!!! I am so glad I came across this post! Iโve never used blue lizard before, but now hearing that is great for sensitive skin, Iโm 100% down to try it. I want to also use it for my kids. What do you think is it suitable for my kids? Thanks in advance for giving me the clarification.
Hey there! Yes I definitely recommend the sensitive skin formula or depending on the age of your kids you could also get the baby/kids formula. They’re both made with sensitive formulas and contain the same amount of SPF. Hope that helps!
I didn’t know that higher SPF doesn’t actually protect from the sun! That’s so crazy!
I was shocked to learn that too. Definitely interesting!
I’m quite sure we don’t have that brand in Europe, but I only try to put sunscreen when I know I’ll be out in the sun for longer.
My dermatologist told me the best way to protect my skin was to stay in house and avoid the sun, but we can’t do that all the time.
That’s so true! It’s a good habit to wear it everyday if you’re outside, but if you can’t definitely aim for shade or wear a hat! ๐
Really great tips Cara!! I have felt the burn this summer and I’m trying to play smarter not hotter from now on! First off I love that the bottle turns blue in UV ryas… that is so awesome! I will definitely be putting a few of of your tips to good use for the rest of the summer.
Thank-you! It’s such a cool feature to remind you to apply it!
It’s great that you take such caution when it comes to your family’s skin as no one likes a nasty sunburn! It’s so easy to get caught up in what you’re doing and forget that you may be burning, but it’s important to take the right steps to ensure that this doesn’t happen.
It’s something I’m definitely always mindful of since we all have such fair skin. Thanks!
Sunscreen is so important! The early morning and late evenings is a tip we follow for sure.
Definitely! It makes it more enjoyable to be outside when it’s not so hot too!
Cara this was a great post and glad you put this on here and loved the pics of the boys and the video. I bought some using your link where I am out in the sun a lot that will help me .
Thanks,
Love you ,
Dad
Thanks- glad you enjoyed the post and hope you like the sunscreen. We’ve been loving it.
these are great tips especially for little ones that i have ๐ thank you so much for sharing
Thanks Cait! As moms taking care of our kiddo’s skin is number one! ๐
Hey Cara!!!! I am so glad I came across this post! I to, have terrible fair, skin that will burn easily! Lately I’ve been getting A LOT of sun… I’ve never used blue lizard before, but now hearing that is great for sensitive skin, I’m 100% down to try it, I’ll try anything! I tend to get a bad reaction from sunscreens, so I’ll look into this one! Thanks Cara!
If you have sensitive skin, you’ll love this sunscreen! I always have bad reactions to the spray ones too, so I was so glad to find this formula. ๐